Robert Orr and James Malatesta were both drafted in the fifth round of the NHL entry draft.
The West Island News would like to congratulate Kirkland’s James Malatesta and Beaconsfield’s Robert Orr on getting drafted during last Saturday’s NHL entry draft.
Malatesta was drafted in the fifth round, 133rd overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets after putting up 23 points in 32 games with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. He previously played for Lac St-Louis before being drafted by Quebec in 2019. Prior to the NHL entry draft, he was ranked as a late second / early third-round pick by many scouts.
Orr was drafted in the fifth round as well, 136th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes. After an impressive run with the Lac St-Louis Lions, the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL drafted Orr in 2019. He was eventually traded to the Halifax Mooseheads, where he put up 32 points in 41 games.
This is the second consecutive NHL draft class to feature a West Islander, as DDO’s Devon Levi was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round of last year’s draft.
Malatesta and Orr both played Lakeshore minor hockey growing up, and were teammates on the Lac St-Louis Lions. They are now one step closer to their NHL dream.
